Dilated Peoples

Where to party in Denver on 4/20

See also: Pot critic William Breathes answers your cannabis queries in a special 4/20 edition

The 4/20 party list: Where to get your, ahem, green on in Denver this holiday weekend

This Saturday is poised to be the most celebrated day in our state's history, what with this being the first 4/20 since Amendment 64 was passed and all. Some of music's most heralded imbibers are being shipped in just to help the local stoners celebrate in style, from Slightly Stoopid and Cypress Hi ... More >>

The ten best hip-hop shows in Denver this April

SAGE FRANCIS @ FOX THEATRE | THU, 4/18 When evaluating an artist like Sage Francis, the question inevitably arises: Should a musician be cherished for the values they hold and their loyalty to said values or their ability to make enjoyable and listenable music? If it's the former, then Sage Francis ... More >>

Here's what we're all listening to right now. What's rocking your world this week?

As people who think about, talk about, write about, listen to and make music, it's not surprising that the most common (and favorite) topic of conversation among us is the same: "What are you listening to right now?" Stick a quarter in us, and, boy, wouldn't you know it, off we go, on and on about t ... More >>

Here's what we're all listening to right now. What's rocking your world this week?

As people who think about, talk about, write about, listen to and make music, it's not surprising that the most common (and favorite) topic of conversation among us is the same: "What are you listening to right now?" Stick a quarter in us, and, boy, wouldn't you know it, off we go, on and on about t ... More >>

New Denver shows: Rush, Rodrigo y Gabriela, the Postal Service, Death, Danzig and more

Bunch of new shows to let you know about this week, including Rush, who's coming to the Pepsi Center in August, plus new dates featuring the Postal Service, Rodrigo y Gabriela with the Colorado Symphony, Death, Danzig and Deer Tick. Keep reading for the full rundown of all those shows, including tic ... More >>

Ten best hip-hop shows in Denver this month

February is already off to a good start for hip-hop with a pair of great shows this past weekend, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis at Icelantic's Winter on the Rocks and Brother Ali with Prof, Danny Brown and Evidence at Cervantes'. Even excluding those shows, the rest of the month looks to be just as enti ... More >>

Backbeat's top five spins: This is what we're listening to this week. What's on your playlist?

As people who think about, talk about, write about, listen to and make music, it shouldn't be surprising to find that the most common (and mutually favorite) topic of conversation among us is the same: "What are you listening to right now?" Stick a quarter in us, and, boy, wouldn't you know it, off ... More >>

The third annual Spirit of Hip-Hop celebrates the four elements and keeps the culture alive

See Also: - Spirit of Hip-Hop 2011 park jam - Spirit of Hip-Hop 2010 park jam The Spirit of Hip-Hop is about hip-hop, and it's about art, but it's mostly about community. Each summer, Hip-Hop Congress Denver puts together a park jam to celebrate the culture, and this year, its third, they absolutel ... More >>

Travelogue: Snowdown, Brother Ali and Raekwon

With SIA happening in Denver all this week, there's been no shortage of shows this week. As you know, the Backbeat crew goes hard in the streets. Last night, we caught bits of Dilated Peoples, Twista, DJ Vajra and the Foodchain at Snowdown 2012, Brother Ali at the Ogden with the ReMINDers and a surp ... More >>

Win VIP tickets to Snowdown this Thursday at City Hall

Update 1/25/12: Contest is over. Thanks for all the entries. Congrats to Audrey Spencer! She and a guest will be our guests at tomorrow night's show. Audrey check your email for details. The bill is pretty stacked this Thursday night at City Hall for this year's Snowdown . The lineup looks like it' ... More >>

Snow Daze

A.V.I.U.S. and En Stereo release new albums at Cervantes' on June 23

Westword Music Showcase 2011

The Westword Music Showcase celebrates seventeen years, a lifetime for some of 2011's performers

Sneak peek of For Better or Worse, the new solo album by A.V.I.U.S. from Prime Element

​A.V.I.U.S., the MC frontman for Prime Element, is set to release his highly anticipated sophomore solo effort, For Better or Worse, on Thursday, June 23, as part of a dual release party with Mane Rok and Esnine, who are releasing En Stereo. We've got two brand new tracks from A.V.I.U.S.'s new ... More >>

BLKHRTS, Wu-Tang top our weekly playlists

​As people who think about, talk about, listen to and make music, the most common question we encounter is, "What are you listening to right now?" Whether you're looking for recommendations, trying to get a feel for our individual sensibilities, or are just curious, we've compiled a list of al ... More >>

Prime Element cameos in new People Under the Stairs video shot in Boulder and Fort Collins

​A few weeks ago, we joked about Prime Element cats, uh, getting prime exposure with the Dew Tour. But seriously, at this point, the dudes might want to just go ahead and change their name once again to Prime Exposure. In addition to the notice they're sure to attract with the Dew Tour, the cr ... More >>

Prime Element gets, ahem, prime exposure

​Looks like Prime Element - the outfit formerly known as 3 the Hardway - has been getting some prime exposure since linking up with Kamikazi Airlines last month -- or it's about to, we should say. Since joining the Kamikazi roster, the group has signed a license agreement with Alli Sports, t ... More >>

Signal Path, Of Montreal and Emancipator filled our playlists this past week

​As people who think about, talk about, listen to and make music, the most common question we encounter is, "What are you listening to right now?" Whether you're looking for recommendations, trying to get a feel for our individual sensibilities, or are just curious, we've compiled a list of al ... More >>

3 the Hardway changes name and joins Kamikazi Airlines roster

​ Prime Element. That's the new name of the trio formerly known as 3 the Hardway. But that's not the biggest news coming out of that camp today. After years of hard work, the threesome, made up of A.V.I.U.S., Cysko Rokwel and Es Nine, has linked up with Kamikazi Airlines, an imprint owned by ... More >>

Of Montreal, Kayne West and Air Dubai fill our playlists this week

​As people who think about, talk about, listen to and make music, the most common question we encounter is, "What are you listening to right now?" So whether you're looking for recommendations, trying to get a feel for our individual sensibilities, or are just curious, we've compiled a list of ... More >>

Big Boi, the Roots, Rick Ross, FOE & Whygee dominate our playlists this week

Jason StoffBig Boi, shown here at this past weekend's Pitchfork Festival, dominated our playlists.​ As people who think about, talk about, listen to and make music, the most common question we encounter is, "What are you listening to right now?" So whether you're looking for recommendations, ... More >>

Heavy Rotation, our top spins for the week of October 26, 2009

​As music critics, the most common question we get asked (and ask each other, for that matter) is, "What are you listening to?" The pervasiveness of this query is precisely what inspired Heavy Rotation, our latest feature. For the benefit of those who happen to be curious, we've compiled a list of ... More >>

3 the Hard Way premiere full video for "Truth"

Those who made their way to Tooey's this past Friday got a first look at 3 the Hardway's new video featuring Rakaa Iriscience of Dilated Peoples. Along with the video they were also treated to performances from the Diamond Boiz, ManeLine, Boombox Saints, and, of course, 3 the Hard Way. But for tho ... More >>

A sneak peek 3 the Hardway's new video

​Update: Just received word that the new 3 the Hardway video will be screened for the very first time in its entirety on Friday, September 11, at Tooey's on Colfax and Marion. The premier party, which kicks off at 9 p.m. is free and will feature performances from 3 the Hardway, ManeLine, Diamond B ... More >>

Over the weekend: 3 the Hardway at the Marquis Theater

3 the HardwayFebruary 28, 2009The Marquis TheatreBetter than: The Talib Kweli show the night before at Club Vinyl where you could have had your jaw tapped.Diamond BoizIn celebration of the release of their debut album, Set in Stone, rapper A.V.I.U.S., producer Es-Nine, and DJ Cysko Rokwel, collectiv ... More >>

3 the Hardway earns Denver hip-hop a second look

Sneak peek: 3 the Hardway's new album, Set In Stone

Photo: Maria Romero My favorite song at the moment, hip-hop or otherwise, is "Reach for the Stars," by 3 the Hardway. Everything about the track, from the hook -- which is built around a sample of "I Just Wanna Be the One in Your Life," a cover by the Manhattans of a song first recorded by Barry Ma ... More >>

Rap-Up: 3 the Hardway drops new single featuring Defari

When buddies A.V.I.U.S., Es-Nine and DJ Cysko Rokwel formed 3 the Hardway last year, fans knew that this hip-hop collective would be putting out some hot music. And for good reason: With A.V.I.U.S. on the mike, Es-Nine on the beats and Cysko on the wheels of steel, how could the music be anything bu ... More >>

Graffiti Bombers on Video

Dilated Peoples

Monday, June 23, Fox Theatre, Boulder, 303-443-3399.

Friday Rap-Up: Basementalism, Hip-Hop 4 Obama, 50 Cent, Fat Joe, Juvenile

Little Brother

Saturday, March 4, Fox Theatre, Boulder, 303-443-3399.

On the Down-Low

Shovel away all that Usher, Prince and Lil Jon you've been jamming and dig this year's buried black-music treasures.

Love the Player

Okayplayer.com is more than just a website. For some, it's a way of life.

Best Place to See Emerging Hip-Hop Talent -- Boulder

Fox Theatre

For the Record

For national releases, 2003 wonked as much as it rocked.

Space Invaders

The Dojo is taking hip-hop to infinity and beyond.

Backwash

Harvey Sid Fisher has been singin’ about Taurus — and the other eleven signs of the Zodiac — for almost fifteen years.

Peoples Get Ready

As part of underground hip-hop's newest dream team, Dilated Peoples are at the top of their game.

Backwash

What’s a little competition between friends? Local turntablists get ready to battle it out in Boulder.

On the Records

Backbeat contributors reflect on the releases that helped them survive the year 2000.

Backwash

Wishing for a perfect world.

Into the Light

The Jurassic 5 make a heroic ascent from the hip-hop underground.

Black Power

The Bay Area's Gift of Gab and Chief Xcel make hip-hop that's magically Blackalicious.

Dilated Peoples

The Platform
(Capitol)

Judgment Day

Backbeat contributors offer up their favorite recordings of 1999.

And You Don't Stop

These student DJs are hip-hop professors.